Think Titanic on this one - be prepared for the worst. This not only applies to life jackets, but all safety equipment. This website is designed to keep you prepared in the event of an emergency, and will offer tips on items you should have stocked on your boat at all times, as well as advice on what to do in the case of an emergency. Life Jackets Plus is more than just an on-line resource for purchasing merchandise; it is a database to reference prior to your sea-outings, to ensure you will be safe on the water no matter what. 

There is a basic and logical rule of thumb for how many life jackets you should carry on your boat: one for each passenger on board. To be safe, you should always carry at least one extra. If your boat is longer than 16 feet, you must also have one throwable device (Type IV PFD). This rule does not change from in-shore to deep sea boating; these are required items for your safety. Some 700 people die per year as a result of recreational boating accidents, and 70% of these deaths could have been prevented by following this basic life jacket rule.

Here are some important safety items that should always be included on your boat:

• Sunscreen for body/ face and lips
• Fresh water (the human body can only survive 3 days without water, and less if you are dehydrated. Remember to NEVER drink salt water, which only furthers the process of dehydration.)
• Visual Distress Signals (VDSs)
• Flashlight
• Sound making devices, such as bells, horns or whistles
• Mirror
• Fire extinguisher
• Marine radio
• First Aid Kit
• VHF
• Compass
• Bilge pump or bailer
• Dewatering device